**Gaia's POV**

Lysander's words hang in the air—accusatory, ugly, meant to shame me.

"When did you become so casual? So easy?"

The insult lands exactly where he intended. Heads turn, whispers start. He's trying to make me look immoral, someone who jumps from male to male.

A month ago, those words would have destroyed me. Made me crumble with shame and self-doubt.

But I'm not that girl anymore.

I turn to face him fully, letting him see the complete ...